Growing Gratitude Board Kit
K–4 Counseling Bulletin Board Kit
Display Sign & Instruction Pieces
Cut Out for Center Board Header
Our School Community Garden
Growing Gratitude
Watch our kindness and thankful thoughts bloom day by day!
How to Grow Our Garden
Student instructions to post on your board
1
Pick a Bloom or Leaf Slip
Choose a tag from the envelope (draw a picture or write your words).
2
Reflect on What Fills Your Heart
Think of a person, small joy, helper, or strength you are thankful for.
3
Add to the Bulletin Board
Pin or tape your slip onto our garden vine to share gratitude with others!
"Gratitude is like sunshine—it helps everything around it grow."
This Week's Focus
Counselor Prompt Feature
Display this card in the center to highlight a rotating weekly prompt:
🌟 Week 1: School Helpers Who helped your class this week?
💛 Week 2: Simple Joys What small sound or sight brought calm?
🌱 Week 3: Growth & Grit What hard thing did you try today?
Mount with a mini clothespin or clip
Cut-Out Envelope Pouch Labels (Attach to bottom of board) Affix to 6x9 manila envelopes
🌸 K–1 Drawing Blooms
Take 1 slip to draw & write
Pouch #1
🍃 Grades 2–4 Leaf Notes
Take 1 slip for written reflections
Pouch #2
Grades K–1
Gratitude Bloom Cards (Drawing & Early Sentence Slips)
Cut along dashed lines (6 slips per page)
○
Someone I love
Draw a picture in the frame:
I am thankful for:
By: ____________________ Gr: ____
○
Makes Me Smile
Draw what brings you joy today:
This makes me smile:
By: ____________________ Gr: ____
○
A Cozy Place
Draw your safe or favorite place:
I like to be at:
By: ____________________ Gr: ____
○
Helping Hand
Draw a helper at home or school:
Helped me with:
By: ____________________ Gr: ____
○
Fun & Play
Draw your favorite game, book, or toy:
I love playing with:
By: ____________________ Gr: ____
○
My Thankful Heart
Draw anything that makes you grateful:
I am thankful for:
By: ____________________ Gr: ____
💡 Counselor Tip: Punch the top circle to hang with yarn or pin directly onto the board trellis. Sheet 1 of 2: Primary Slips
Grades 2–4
Gratitude Leaf Tags (SEL Written Reflections)
Cut along dashed lines (6 slips per page)
○
People & Community
A classmate or friend I appreciate:
"I appreciate them because..."
Name: ____________________ Grade: _____
○
School Helpers
An adult at school who helped me:
"Something they did that made a difference..."
Name: ____________________ Grade: _____
○
My Inner Strength
Something I appreciate about myself:
"A strength, talent, or kind choice I made..."
Name: ____________________ Grade: _____
○
Everyday Senses
A sight, sound, or feeling in nature:
"When I notice this, I feel peaceful because..."
Name: ____________________ Grade: _____
○
Growth & Resilience
A tough moment that taught me something:
"It was hard, but I am proud that I..."
Name: ____________________ Grade: _____
○
Simple Moments
A tiny moment that made my day brighter:
"A laugh, a hug, a warm meal, or kind word..."
Name: ____________________ Grade: _____
💡 Counselor Tip: Encourage students to sign their name or remain anonymous if they prefer! Sheet 2 of 2: Upper Grade Slips
Garden Section Signs & Counselor Facilitator Guide
Display Setup & SEL Routine
Cut Out These 4 Zone Headers for Board Sections Place around the board to organize leaves
🌱 Rooted in People
Friends, family, teachers & helpers
☀️ Sunshine Moments
Laughter, games, joy & fun surprises
🌸 Little Wonders
Pets, nature, cozy spaces & yummy food
✨ Growing Strong
Overcoming hurdles & personal talents
Counselor Implementation & Engagement Routines
Physical Board Layout
Use butcher paper with green yarn or paper vines spanning across the board. Affix two large envelopes at student eye-level labeled "Take a Slip." Keep washable markers or pencils in a cup holder nearby.
Weekly SEL Cycle
Monday: Announce weekly spotlight prompt in morning announcements.
Midweek: Encourage students passing by during recess or transition times to add a leaf.
Friday: Read aloud 3–5 leaves during announcements to celebrate contributors.
K–4 Developmental Adaptation
K–1: Focus on drawing concrete people, pets, and favorite foods. Pair non-writers with a 4th-grade buddy or counselor.
2–4: Encourage deeper reflection on internal qualities, problem-solving, and thanking specific staff members.
Small-Group & Individual Use
Keep a mini stack of slips in your counseling office. Use the "Overcoming Challenges" slips during regulation check-ins or restorative chats to pivot toward strengths and resilience.
🌱 Goal: Create an evolving visual testimony of gratitude that shifts school climate toward positivity! Elementary Counseling SEL Kit
